15 Suominen Ln Ulster Park, NY 12487

Private, with the sound of a rushing stream in the background, this very cool country home has had a wealth of improvements and renovations by its current, relocating owners -- rustic and truly country, yet with higher-end appointments, from the Esse woodstove to a Bertazzoni range. Hardly cookie-cutter, still it's a great place to bake cookies, thanks to a fabulous open and windowed kitchen with its marble countertops, Fisher Paykel fridge and Miele dishwasher. Framed by massive beams and wide board flooring, the downstairs living spaces are extremely flexible in use and include a first-floor bedroom and bathroom. Washed in plenty of light, both floors boast a similar open feeling, especially the upstairs family/media room. Out back there's generous decking where the sound of the stream beckons even more, and you can walk down an easy path to the secluded stream itself. A gazebo down there in that wooded and sun-dappled glade would be a natural. Surrounding the house, which is partially stone, are mature trees and some lovely rock outcroppings -- including a surprising cave-like structure that may have once been a root cellar. Current owners keep chickens, which can convey, although the property can certainly be delivered without them. This is a wonderful house and property, conveniently located between Kingston and New Paltz and all that the burgeoning Hudson Valley and the Catskills have to offer. [OPEN HOUSE: Saturday June 26, noon to 2 pm.